Sports Enthusiast Encourages Seniors

May 26, 1985|By Steve Tiberi, Staff Writer

PALM BEACH GARDENS — After spending a few minutes with Manya Joyce, one might be overcome by an urge to unpack the golf clubs or get the tennis racket out of the closet. She seems to have that effect on people.

Joyce, chairman of the board for the International Senior Athletics Inc., was never one to sit back and let things happen. She always wanted to play a part in the world around her. Her philosophy: Get involved.

``One must always put forth effort,`` said Joyce, 80, of Singer Island. ``Whether you are 25, 60 or 80, you have to keep going. In order to be loved, you must give love. You have to give. It applies to everything you do. The key thing to remember is every day is a new day. I`m in love with life and the universe because it`s the only universe we`ve got.``

Joyce seems to approach every project and business endeavor with the same boundless energy. For the past six years, Joyce has directed her attention to senior athletics. She began a program, then called the Senior Olympics, that allowed those more than 50 years old to participate in various events against competitors their own age.

The event has been held once a year for the last five years. Joyce`s ability to overcome obstacles and get people to work together have made the program a success. Senior athletes from all over the world came to West Palm Beach last November to participate in the games, headquartered at PGA National.

``It`s an idea whose time has come,`` Joyce said. ``This idea of wellness is becoming universal. Older people all over the world are beginning to realize the importance of exercise. We hope our event will grow into national and international proportions. We had 5,000 people a year ago, and we`re hoping for 10,000 this year (tentatively set for October). We`ve never been more organized than this year.``

John Bryan of West Palm Beach has worked with Joyce for two of the five years. He has rejoined the team this year and is still amazed at Joyce`s energy and ability to motivate.

``She`s a constant up,`` Bryan said. ``She calls herself a little old lady in tennis shoes, but she`s always in high gear. Just being around her makes you want to do something to help. She`s amazing.``

Joyce`s organization was forced to undergo a major change recently. The United States Olympic Committee threatened a lawsuit if ``Olympics`` wasn`t taken out of the name of the event.

Federal law prohibits the unauthorized use of Olympic symbols, emblems, trademarks and names in anything that is not connected to the Games, the USOC or a related activity.

``I guess they think we are a threat to them,`` Joyce said. ``Programs all over the country for all age groups have sprouted up using the word Olympic in their names. I`m happy in a way to change the name because now we won`t be lost in the shuffle. Well, we`ve made the adjustment and we`re going to go on.``

At a recent news conference held at the JDM Country Club, Joyce and members of the business community announced the new name of the organization: a non- profit organization called International Senior Athletics, Inc.

``Competition stays with you forever,`` Joyce said. ``It doesn`t matter how old you are. We have people come out to these meets and they see someone older swimming or running faster than they can go. They say `next year I`ll do better` and they work at it. That`s the whole idea behind it.``

The name may be different this year, but with Manya Joyce involved, the results figure to be the same.